Thought I would go ahead and start the obligatory who goes, who stays thread. I would think the most obvious focus would be on Pibe's future. I think he hinted at having more gas in the tank, but I would question whether or not the team should use him as anything more than a bench player even if he decided to play. Which begs the question of whether or not Pibe would accept such a role. Player/Coach maybe? The problem with MLS and US soccer in general is we seem to have a real problem producing quality playmaking central middies. Consider most of the teams in the league, and you will find a foreign central midfielder in most cases. So, even if we lose Valderrama the question would be who could possibly take his place. Possibly Chung? I feel like the defense shaped up well as the season progressed, and with Stewart still developing the backline seems set. Kingsley and Henderson are likely to return, as is Pablo. Carrieri and Spencer are a dynamic pair, but I think the team could use a target forward with size as an alternative. Basically other than a possible keeper change, the team seems set other than the big question mark in the middle of the field.
I'd say Pibe is still valuable contrary to what others believe. Pablo, Chung and Henderson are defintly back and I don't see a reason not to keep Titus. You are right about a good Forward and sadly, as much as I like Spencer, I'd have to say the Carrieri is showing more promise for the future. If I had to pick, I'd take CC. Kramer should go. That last goal just confirmed it for me. A fairly good keeper would have looked like he was trying. Kramer just stood there. Honestly though, I think we have a good team and not much should be changed. We need more stability so that they don't have to "learn" to play together for half the season.
Kramer goes, Garlick stays with a younger keeper as backup Fraser, Pablo, and Herdsman should stay while the rest could go. I feel that Titus is a wasted foreign allocation spot since he's Canadian. Bring back Celo not just for defense but also as a big target on corners. Chung, Henderson, and Kingsley must stay and Valderama could stay if he agrees that it's ok to not play every minute of every game. Wes Hart was much improved this year but didn't produce much offensively. A good offseason in Europe, working on his offensive skills would improve his chances. Up front is hard. Spencer is the heart and soul of this team. His spirit, knowledge, and drive are irreplaceable. Carrieri had a great season too and I'd like to see him stay. But, that said, we definitely need to get a big guy up there. How about bringing back Balboa in the back. He's known for scoring goals from corners etc. Musa was hurt most of the season so we never got a good look at him. He does provide some size and the man has no neck! We need to scour the globe for a replacement/compliment for Valderama and find more offensively minded outside backs willing to put some points on the board. Oh and a decent backup goalie.
I, for one, feel that the Rapids should at least try and trade Titus first. If no takers, then dump him. His salary is at, or near the minimum, so that might induce another team taking him on. But foremost, the Rapids should try everything in their power to acquire Suarez from the Burn. Then put Fraser, Jackson/Herdsman, Stewart, and Suarez in the back. We have to get these young guys more playing time. Can't rely to much longer on Fraser, but he showed he still had the pace and poise to play back there. I'm sure playing with Herdsman helped a lot. As for the midfield, CV must take a smaller role so Beckerman can be given the chance to play. He gets a start in June and then can't find the field again after. The rest of the midfield stays as is. Up front, you keep Spennie and CC and bring in a target man. Obviously, not all can play so why not imploy a rotation system up front like some other clubs do, or get Spennie and CC to take a subs role for most of the time. It was the one thing that the Rapids were lacking when they went down a goal: a dangerous sub ala Johnson in Dallas or Buddle in Columbus. And get rid of the dead wood for christ sakes. Shak, Trembly, Kramer, and Shannon. Gone. Right now. Before MLS Cup. Just dump them and get started rebuilding. Jeez, bring up some A-Leaguers for the Atlas game. Anything is better than these guys.
Regarding the keeper situation, let me ask a question. LA has the luxury/problem of having two keepers who are MLS starter quality. Because of the depth at that position, no team has ever made an attractive offer for either Reis or Hartman. On the other hand, salary cap considerations might move LA to do a deal for one of them. And, Rapids now have to be very much aware of David Kramer's limitations. He's not bad, but he will never carry a team through to the Cup. So, my question is this: do we have a fit for a deal? What do you think Rapids would be willing to part with to get either Reis or Hartman. (I assume the price would be higher for Hartman, but Reis is VERY good).
Unless Garlick is unable to make a successful return to the position next season, there's really no reason to think about trading for a keeper better than Kramer. He may not be outstanding but he's better than many backups in the league... and it's not like the Rapids had a worse record with Kramer than they did with Garlick. Garlick is the man. Why look elsewhere?
Next Year! So I get creamed for saying thet CV is too old, but he is too old. A Player Coach would be great. Fraser was just as fast as ever. He is only 36 (not 43) next year so keep him or Titus. I think Titus had a good year overall, and am OK keeping him and Stewart. We had Dawes, the Titus, so every year we're changing up for an equal alternative? Naaaa. Consistency is better. Keep him unless it's someone better. Midfield? Let CV decide if he wants to play another year. Fine with me (we made the trade, so the cost of dumping is different than our opportunity to find a Nowak/Marco/35 year old CV). Chung, Henderson, CV, and Pablo were the team's strength this year. With Beckerman, as with other young guys, we have to decide if we'll develope players for the Rapids, or develope them for others......I'd keep him, and play him to see if he's the guy. Hart's a keeper,too. Forward? We need a third guy. Tall. Keep all three. Is Kingsley the guy? I don't know. Maybe. Seems better in midfield. Spenny and CC are keepers if they want to stay. Goalie??? Garlick's OK. Kramer is an OK back-up on my scorecard (I know some disagree). Maybe Napoleaon of whomever would be a better back-up, so that's OK, too. RLH
Realistically, we can only replace like 3-4 Americans. So cut Shak, Trembly, and Musa. If CV retires ... we need to cut Titus for a foreign replacement. If Spennie returns to England or Scotland like he suggested in the paper ... we need to find another striker ... Foriegn player. We NEED another forward no matter what ... and he needs to be taller than 5 feet tall. Kramer stays ... he performed great as a backup ... unless there is a real young promising find out there. But he stepped up and did what he was payed to do. Palacios is gone ... and he's a discovery replacement (foreign). This team is going to be drastically different next season. Hopefully as far as Americans go ... we'll be much deeper. As far as foreign players ... Spencer is the only critical one.
Are you kidding? Watch some replays... heck, just re-watch the series with Dallas. He's flat-footed more often than not. If the ball's not immediately reachable without leaving his feet, he rarely does more than wave a hand at it. When kicking the ball off a roll, he regularly shanks it away like a beginning golfer. He gets beat on shots that make him look just plain silly. I also don't think he has a solid command of the defense. The keeper should be the anchor back there. I can say three nice things about Kramer: 1 - He seems to have pretty good timing in terms of knowing when to go off his line and charge an attacker. He didn't usually get beat if he took a run at it. 2 - He's stayed healthy and injury free. 3 - I'm sure that he's a very nice guy. I don't like to bag on anyone, especially if I think they're a pretty decent person... That said, my hope is that there's someone else training alongside Garlick this off-season so that our keeper slot isn't a weak link if Garlick's out again. -- jeff
Here are some roster facts to help the "Next Season" discussion: P-40 players that don't count against the 18 man roster (Does anybody know if any of them are graduating?): Beckerman, Trembly, Carierri Foreign Players that count against 18 man roster: Spencer, Palacios, Titus Foriegn Player that counts against 18 man roster but doesn't count against 3 foreign player limit (Transitional International): Jackson Our 18 man roster: Spencer, Shannon Chung, CV, Pabalo, Palacios, Henderson, Kingsley Hart, Kotschau, Fraser, Herdsman, Jackson, Stewart, Titus, Shak Garlick, Kramer Pending graduation from P-40 (which I expect from Carierri) These are the players we have to work with. With that ... Good bye Palacios and Shak!
Trembly will no longer be classified as P40 in 2003. He signed in late 1999 but didn't play until 2000; thus 2002 was his third year. Beckerman? Not sure. He signed P-40 in 2000 and played with the Fusion that same season, thus 2002 is his third season. However, with his missing all of 2001 he may be granted an extra year by MLS. Who knows. This was Carrieri's second year as a P-40 player so he should remain classified as such throughout 2003. In the spring, Jackson was working on getting his green card. Not sure if that happened or not, but if so he won't even be a TI. I think that Titus is on an equally thin line with Palacios regarding their SI status, especially if Spenny stays and the Rapids have a solid foreign player lined up.
Rebuilding I know alot of you are looking for a target forward, you know someone who is 6foot 3inches or better, but in reality that is not our week point..Otherwise LA would be looking ofr someone to replace the 5'4" Ruiz!!!.. The real problem with the rapids is two-fold---1--> They need a much better attacking midfield that can actually breakdown a defense--CV can not do this anymore, we need a player like Kovelenko, Elliot, Jones in the central mid. 2. we need better wing play as far as attacking goes such as the likes of Martinez, Ralston--And as a side note we need better play from our defenders in set plays like Lalas, Califf, Kante and Morrow.... So what do we need to do... Well for starters I think Chung can handle the mid-field and replace CV, CV MUST retire NO MATTERR WHAT MLS WANTS or NAKED PICTURES HE HAS OF HANKISON-- I think Carrieri can be an excellent Left/Right wing as well as a forward. I think Kingsley can work out on the wings as well, with some work on his decsion making, crossing and defense.. I think we need to get 1 or 2 aggressive defensive players that will be a force on set plays, an yes we need another forward, but I'm still not buying into the "TALLER IS BETTER" mentality... My 2 cents
Re: Rebuilding I agree we need someone, anyone that can make a play on the set piece, but this does not mean that we don't also need a taller forward. While Ruiz is shorter and amazingly effective, the Galazy have other players than get forward with decent height and can make plays in the air. Many times on crosses, we have seen Spencer and Carrieri just have no chance at getting to the ball, and no one else in the midfield is there either. Chung and Henderson are great athletes, but are also at a disadvantage in the air against a taller athletic player. If Chung does take over the attacking mid playmaker role, then you can get a taller midfielder to take his position that has some ability in the air. You don't need a basketball player out there, but we need someone who is forward in the attack that can get a head on the ball in a cross. That way, we won't be force to push through the middle with all the packed in traffic every time like we had to against LA. A taller forward would hopefully complement the scrappy, fight for the ball and get the ugly goal play of the two smurfs there now, especially CC. But I totally agree that in our offseason moves, we need to get defenders that can be threats on corner kicks and free kicks. Of course, I have no suggestions of who this would be. Does anyone know if the possibility of Spencer's return to the UK is more his idea or the team's/league's?
Re: Rebuilding 1. Ruiz' vertical leap gets him up about 30 feet in the air. 2. Perhaps you haven't noticed who LA puts out on the field? Victorine, Marshall, Lalas, Hendrickson and Waibel are all 6'2 or 6'3. And while Tennyson isn't out on the field, he's 6'2 as well. 3. The only players the Rapids have that are taller than 6'1 are Kramer and Garlick... which then leaves Fraser and Titus as the only players taller than 5'11. Whether it's height or vertical leap, it matters. We need to have at least one forward that is at least capable of beating defenders in the air, as well as defenders that can do the same.
Re: Re: Rebuilding And not one of them is a foward !!!!--excpet Tennyson in the last 5 minutes of the game !!!!!
Victorine often plays such an attacking role that he's basically a 3rd forward. Hendrickson is routinely making full-field runs without the ball to meet a cross at the far post. And as I said, Ruiz' vertical leap is inhuman. He gets balls that sail right over the head of anyone on the Rapids. A big part of the reason that I as well as other people would like to see a real target forward in this team is not just for offense; it's a player that can come back and help in the box on corners and free kicks, too. Reality is that the Rapids don't have a single player that can win balls in the air more often than not when challenged by an opposing player. If we had Balboa in the back instead of Fraser, our need for a target man may not be so great.
target forwards The 2003 draft if looking pretty good for American center forwards if both Knox Cameron and Nate Jaqua declare for the draft............
Height.... Yeah! Another vote for Balboa's importance! He was always a defense's worst corner problem, opening up space for others. I agree that it's more than raw height, but we scored ONCE on a corner this year (Kingsley) and rarely did Titus/Fraser even get a good pop on set headers. They were double teamed (Ha! Why not! Who else needs doubling!!). Balboa would get a good pop regularly, as did JDV and Trittschuh in the past. Our corners used to be dangerous. Not anymore. Why win them? Just play it out to the side like some teams? Yuck. Height (and air skills) would help. We sorta' have four wings coming forward. It's how we score! A rub into spacce, or a rebound/pass out that we nail. None of the Smurf Line (Spenny, Chung, CC, CH, CV) really plays a back-to-the-goal game with much success. They run onto balls when they do score. Height (and size to hold a spot and draw the defense) would help. We'll use the CV or Spenny salary for a third striker (JDV or better!) and the Spenny or Palacios or Titus SI slots. I'd like to see MC as #10..... he could pass to wings CC and CH, or to forwards Spenny and "tall guy". Then we'd have the SI/Cash to find an offensive-minded defenseman, too. RLH
Re: Height.... And I suppose, bring Balboa back so he can make the max, sit on the bench, and then retire. Pleez. Look, I loved it when Celo played here but to keep saying we never should have gotten rid of him or kept CV is not looking at reality. Reality: Balboa played 10 minutes all season. Reality: CV had 16 assists, ranking him #2 in MLS. Now look over the past two seasons and tell me how many games Celo missed through injury and how many CV missed. Not even close. Seems to me that the 41 year old can keep himself healthy while the 35 year old can't. So, can we stop with the "Rapids never should have gotten rid of Balboa" posts. Now, as for the whole height issue, there are other, more pressing tactical problems with the Rapids than simply having taller players to play the ball to on crosses. Like actually having our wing players look up before delivering a cross into the box, trying to pick players out and then finding them with accuracy and not just hitting and hoping. Guaranteed that Cobi actually saw Ruiz before he floated in the winning cross last weds. And, how about the Rapids actually taking shots on goal from free kicks. I was really getting pissed this season when someone won a free kick 20 to 25 yards out and then had Carlos try and cross to one of our players. It's much easier to mark in the box with 11 players than for the keeper to stop a bending shot into the upper 90. Not until Spennie came back did anyone actually try to score from a free kick. If you actually do these two things, height doesn't come into play as much. I totally agree with Greenie about height helping in defending corners but as for height for height's sake, let's get some more skill on defense and at forward first before we go sign Georghe Murusahan(sp) to play striker.
Re: Re: Height.... Oh, sorry. Didn't mean that. No I don't want to bring him back for the same reasons I'd question signing any too-old/too-broken/high-salaried players. Signing him NOW is like us trading for a 40 year old CV last year... we'll be looking again for his replacement real soon (while Rome burns). It may be worthwhile to look at this as a salary dump (lose Balboa, then lose CV the next year). Like the Nuggets. We need a "CV" type who is 30 or Balboa at 27 for our "big salary"slots. Great players in their prime win championships. I actually fear the League will dump another over-the-hill ex-star on us for our next 'allocation' so someone else can sign a 29 year old #10 (which we'd like to have), or a striker. I understand the 1 year "Ray Borque" idea to add the last piece to a great core, but we need to get our core built first! As for the corners/crosses...you're right, we sent them in blindly, or so it seemed...that's both skill and height to blame. You cannot make a perfect 30 yard cross very often.With height/jump, a repeatable 'good"' but imperfect cross becomes dangerous. Remember Limpars-to-JDV???? Think if we had that to complement our respectable ground attack? RLH (OK no more "B" word, forever)